Sunday, May 31, 2015

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... EASTERN UNION COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW
JERSEY... ESSEX COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY... UNION COUNTY IN
NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY... HUDSON COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY...

We've made no secret of our opposition to the clutter of mailers in political campaigns, and this race seems to be no exception.Not a surprise given the tight battle between Incumbent Jerry Ryan and challengers Nancy Adams and Greg Lembrich in the June 2 primary for the Democratic nomination for Township Committee.

But in just the past five days, these mailers have arrived in our mailbox.

Do they sway you either way? Or do they cross each other out?

Interesting that Adams continues to seek votes with Ryan and on her own, while Lembrich offers a letter from former TC Member David Huemer. He had earlier sent one out from former Mayor Fred Profeta, his most prominent supporter. Adams and Ryan tie themselves to Assembly members Mila Jasey and John McKeon, while Lembrich makes clear how to vote for him on the ballot, where he is offline.

Mayor Vic Deluca met with members of the College Hill Neighborhood Association on Saturday morning at Prospect Church to discuss the planned Wawa Market on Springfield Avenue and the proposal to allow 24-hour gas sales there and at other gas stations in town.Currently, the Township bars such operations from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., but Wawa has asked for a change. The issue will be discussed at Wednesday's Township Committee meeting.Deluca told the group that the TC plans to consider an ordinance to remove the limit on 24-hour gas stations. But he said they also wish to change the designation for most of Springfield Avenue, from highway to pedestrian, that would disallow the 24-hour gas stations on the rest of that roadway.During the meeting, he also remarked that it is difficult to bring in businesses to Springfield Avenue because some just don't want to go there thinking it is a high-crime area, despite data to the contrary.See his view below:

Saturday, May 30, 2015

This week's news that an unidentified Essex County man had died after being exposed to Lassa Fever -- and that some 150 others were being monitored for exposure to him -- prompted us to wonder if any of these people are linked to Maplewood.We reach out to Health Office Robert Roe, who sent this email:"The Lassa Fever case was not a Maplewood resident. As far as I am aware now, none of the contacts reside
in Maplewood."

Plans for a new Wawa Market along Springfield Avenue near the Irvington line will be formally presented by developers at the next Township Committee meeting on Wednesday.The TC meeting, usually held on Tuesdays, is being delayed a day due to the June 2 primary election.See more on the Wawa Market plans HERE.The TC is also considering an ordinance change that would allow the Wawa Market to run a 24-hour gas station, which is now prohibited on Springfield Avenue.

Friday, May 29, 2015

The College Hill Neighborhood Association will have two meetings this weekend, with Mayor Vic De Luca appearing at one of them.De Luca will be at the 9 a.m. meeting Saturday at Prospect Church, Prospect and Tuscan.

Another meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Hilton Library.

Among the issues to be discussed is the proposed Wawa Market on Springfield Avenue.

With the last weekend of campaigning coming
up before the June 2 primary election for Township Committee, all three
candidates are booked for meeting and greeting.
From Greg Lembrich, who is apparently wooing voters with drinks and ice cream:

Saturday May 30: Meet Greg
Mimosas and Bagels at the home of Lisa and Shaun Landers, 36 Norfolk Avenue
(9AM - 11 AM)

...Scanner indicates police in dramatic pursuit of a suspect on foot near Franklin Terrace and Springfield Avenues and Becker near Irvington line.Crime not indicated yet...Appears to be related to a car entered on Meadowbrook Place....

From the South Orange Maplewood School District:Dear Parents/Guardians:We
invite you to complete a brief survey, sharing your opinions about
SOMSD schools. We are particularly interested in your thoughts on our
schools’ efforts to promote academic success and well-being for every
student, regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, or other
characteristics.

The link to the survey is http://tinyurl.com/n99ua58
and all responses are strictly confidential. We appreciate your honest
feedback – your opinions are important to your child’s school, and to
the district.

If you have more than one child enrolled in SOMSD schools, please complete the survey for each child separately.

This
survey is being conducted by Sage Educational Consultants on behalf of
the South Orange Maplewood School District, in response to the
District’s Resolution Agreement with the Office of Civil Rights.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

...Scanner indicates police responded to report of a pair of pitbulls on the loose on Brown Street near Boyden Avenue, allegedly biting at least two people and another dog....Police say the dogs are now secure...